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Location
Visitor tip
Start with the dinosaur exhibit first - it's the main draw and most captivating for kids, then move to the interactive Kid Zone with fossil digging activities and the pirate ship play area to maintain engagement
Best time
Visit during special events like the Dino Festival (July 27-Aug 3, 2026) for enhanced educational experiences with staff-led activities; regular non-event days also offer the full collection at standard $12 admission
Visitor tip
Bring kids aged 3-17 expecting hands-on, touch-friendly exhibits and interactive displays - the museum is specifically designed for young learners to engage through paleontologist role-play and exploration activities
About Virginia Museum of Natural History
Exhibits on dinosaurs, geology & more. Established in 1984, this natural history museum features exhibits on fossils, geology & more.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Location
- Martinsville, Virginia
- Hours
- Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun Noon-4pm (seasonal)
- Admission
- $12 adults, $6 kids/seniors, free under 3
What visitors say
We had a fantastic experience at the Virginia Museum of Natural History! The dinosaur bones exhibits were incredible, featuring towering skeletons that captivated both kids and adults. The detailed information made it educational and…
Great museum for the family that loves Dino’s! It’s easily accessible, has an indoor playground area for the kids and lots to learn!!
We absolutely loved our visit to the Virginia Museum of Natural History! It was such a fun and educational experience for the whole family. They currently have a dinosaur exhibit, and my kids were beyond excited seeing actual fossils…
From 687 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Established in 1984, the Virginia Museum of Natural History features holotypes and new species discoveries in its collection, indicating active involvement in paleontological research and scientific classification
- The museum features a Giant Ground Sloth exhibit, which is a notably unusual prehistoric mammal collection piece that generated specific visitor interest
- The museum hosts the annual Dino Festival (July 27 - Aug 3, 2026), a two-day special event with discovery and adventure activities, demonstrating an established seasonal programming tradition
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